Heel structure for shoes



May 1967 R. B. ANTELO 3,318,026

HEEL STRUCTURE FOR SHOES Filed May 31, 1966 INVENTOR. P0004 F0 1 ,4 7 4a ":7 v r/ ORNEY United States Patent 3,318,026 HEEL STRUCTURE FOR SHOES Rodolfo B. Antelo, 6802 Dartmouth St., Forest Hills, NY. 11325 Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 553,855

, 6 Claims. (Cl. 36-42) This invention relates to improved heels for shoes and more specifically to a novel and improved composite heel structure which greatly facilitates repair and maintenance of the shoe.

One object of the invention is to provide improved composite heel structure for shoes to permit the replacement of worn heels without the need for special tools or skills and at the same time provide for secure attachment of the replaceable portions.

Another object of the invention resides in a novel and improved composite heel structure for shoes embodying means to minimize the infiltration of foreign matter between the joined elements.

Still another object of the invention resides in a novel and improved heel structure having interlocking means on the composite elements to insure a firm permanent attachment of the replaceable elements to the shoe and prevent accidental detachment.

The above and other objects of the invention will be come more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a typical shoe equipped with improved heel structure in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the assembled heel structure in accordance with'the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the heel strucure as shown in FIGURE 1 and with the replaceable heel separated from the permanent upper heel element which is attached to the shoe.

FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of the heel portion which is permanently attached to the shoe.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the detachable replaceable heel member.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical, central, longitudinal section of the assembled heel in accordance with the invention and taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the assembled heel structure and taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 2.

As will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention concerns an improved heel structure embodying a replaceable tread element which is securely and firmly attached to a cooperating heel element attached to the shoe. The composite heel is arranged to prevent the penetration of foreign matter between the heel elements, and prevent accidental'disengagement of the replaceable portion during normal use.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGURE 1, the shoe is generally denoted by the numeral 10, and the improved composite heel structure is denoted by the numeral 11. The heel 11 comprises two portions, namely, an upper element 13 permanently attached to the shoe and a lower replaceabletread member 14 which can be readily detached from the upper element 13 and replaced when it is worn. The heel structure 11, shown in detail in FIGURES 2 through 7, is preferably formed of resilient material such as rubber or the like, though the upper element may be somewhat harder and less resilient than the lower element. In the instant embodiment of the invention, the lower tread element 14 is provided with a centrally disposed key 17 and a plurality of studs or connectors 18 having enlarged head porice tions 19. The rear edge of the tread element 14 may be further provided with an upwardly extending member 20 tapered downwardlyand inwardly as indicated at 20 so that it will firmly interlock with a cooperating socket 22 on the heel portion 13 as will be described.

It is desirable in the attachment of the tread element 14 to the permanent element 13 to minimize the infiltration of dust and other foreign matter between the heel elements or sections and to minimize shearing stresses on the studs 18 as well a the central key 17. For this purpose, the replaceable tread element 14 is provided with a surrounding ridge 23 disposed in closely spaced relationship with the periphery of the heel.

The cooperating heel element 13, permanently attached to the shoe 10, is provided with a keyway 24 which snugly receives the key 17 and a plurality of sockets 25 cooperating with the studs 18. The sockets 25 are undercut as indicated at 25' to receive the enlarged head portions 19 of the studs 18 in order to lock the heel portion 14 securely in place as illustrated in FIGURE 1. The rear portion of the heel element 13 is provided with a recess or socket 22 for receiving the member 20 so that when the heel is in position, the back portion of the heel will be firmly locked in position, and the tread member 14 cannot be disengaged should pressure be accidentally exerted on the tread member in a direction causing it to separate from the permanent element 13.

It will be observed from the foregoing structure that when the tread member 14 of the heel is in position on the shoe, the rear portion of the heel is not only firmly locked in place but the ridge 23 snugly engages the cooperating channel 26 on the heel portion 13, so that the ridge 23 and the central key 17 resist both linear or rotational displacement stresses on the tread member 14.

Another important aspect of the heel in accordance with the invention resides in an improved interlocking element along the forward edge of the heel which minimizes the possibility of disengagement of the heel should the forward edge of the heel be caught on a step or curb. For this purpose the forward edge of the replaceable heel element 14 includes an upwardly extending wall portion 28 having an inwardly extending flange or ridge 29 along the upper edge thereof. The cooperating heel element 13 is cut back at 28 and has an elongated groove 29' to receive the ridge 29. With this arrangement actual line of joinder of the front portion of the heel element is close to the sole and cannot be easily caught on a step or curb. Furthermore, any pressure on the front portion of the heel will result in more secure engagement of ridge 29 with the groove 29'. If desired, rubber cement or other similar adhesive may be applied about the edge of the replaceable heel and on the ridge 29 provided, however, that the adhesive will permit removal of the heel portion 14 for replacement.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is apparent that alterations, modifications and changes may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A composite heel structure for shoes comprising an upper element adapted to be permanently secured to the shoe, a tread element removably secured to said upper element, one of said elements having a ridge spaced inwardly from and about substantially the entire periphery thereof and the other element having a cooperating peripheral groove, and a forward wall on said tread portion having means for engaging said upper element at a point in close proximity to the shoe.

2. A composite heel structure for shoes according to claim 1 wherein said elements include interlocking stud and receptacle means for removably securing them one to the other, and wherein one of said elements having a peripheral ridge and the other element having a cooperating peripheral groove.

3. A composite heel structure according to claim 2 wherein one of said elements has an outwardly extending member adjoining one edge and with an outer portion of said member being otfset relative to the portion adjoining said element, and the other of said elements includes a cooperating recess for receiving said member and locking it in place when said elements are secured one to the other.

4. A composite heel structure according to claim 3 wherein said elements include cooperating key and keyway means centrally disposed thereof.

5. A composite heel structure according to claim 1 wherein the last said engaging means comprises an inwardly extending ridge along the top edge of said wall and wherein said upper element includes a ridge receiving slot.

6. A composite heel structure according to claim 1 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,738,048 12/1929 Goodwin 36-35 2,528,951 11/1950 Epsgtein 36-15 3,019,534 2/1962 Kauffman et a1. 36-15 3,063,168 11/1962 Cortina 3636 3,068,592 12/1962 Antel o 3636 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMPOSITE HEEL STRUCTURE FOR SHOES COMPRISING AN UPPER ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE PERMANENTLY SECURED TO THE SHOE, A TREAD ELEMENT REMOVABLY SECURED TO SAID UPPER ELEMENT, ONE OF SAID ELEMENTS HAVING A RIDGE SPACED INWARDLY FROM AND ABOUT SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE PERIPHERY THEREOF AND THE OTHER ELEMENT HAVING A COOPERATING PERIPHERAL GROOVE, AND A FORWARD WALL ON SAID TREAD PORTION HAVING MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID UPPER ELEMENT AT A POINT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE SHOE. 